I look at this completely different, though. Before CrossFit, weightlifting was in the gutter. No one, and I mean no one, was doing it. CrossFit saved weightlifting. Powerlifting is the exact same way. In the 90's and early 2000's no women were in powerlifting (obviously there were women, but very few competing). In the early 2000's the sport of powerlifting was all but dead. CrossFit has saved powerlifting. Meets sell out months in advance, with females making up approximately 25% of the competitors at local events. 2015 IPL Worlds saw an entire day devoted to the ladies with over 80 lifters competing and having qualified to be on the big stage. The largest majority of the female powerlifters are CrossFitters who got a taste of the sport in CF classes, found they liked getting stronger, and wanted to take it to the next level.

The strength community is becoming very guilty of biting the hand that's feeding them. The reason we can have so many meets and events is because of CrossFit. Weightlifting coaches can actually make a living doing seminars (unheard of 10 years ago). We just had a powerlifting certification hosted at my gym (a CrossFit affiliate) that would never have been possible without the support of CrossFitters. The USPA is the fastest growing federation in the United States, and there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of powerlifters that have found their way to the sport and our organization by way of CrossFit.

Those of us that enjoy competing in strength sports should thank CrossFit and welcome/encourage them into our sport with open arms.

So, if you are a strength athlete and see a CrossFitter today, say "thank you for bringing recognition back to my sport!"